Their hands kept moving faster.
The onlookers could barely believe their eyes.
Someone rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things.
Carmen's knife moved so fast it left only afterimages.
Sanji's spatula flew, sending ingredients arcing through the air.
The audience seemed to hold its breath.
Naruto frowned as he watched Sanji.
He had only come to see what all the fuss was about.
But the longer he watched, the more absurd it seemed.
This wasn't cooking. It was a clash of gods.
"Never seen Sanji this serious before. Something's off."
"He's never been like this before. Carmen must've pulled out all the stops."
"But if even that doesn't work, what chance does she have?"
Sanji turned his spatula with a furrowed brow, deep in thought.
"By all rights, this should be impossible."
"The North Blue, South Blue, East Blue, and West Blue are cut apart by the Red Line, which runs north to south."
"And the Grand Line's east-west currents divide the seas too."
"Together they form a cross, separating the four seas into distinct regions."
"Normally, a fish from the West Blue could never make it here."
"So how did this one end up here?"
The more he thought about it, the less sense it made.
There had to be more to it, but he had no time to investigate.
He pushed the thought aside and turned his attention back to the pan.
It all came down to this dish.
He had to settle this once and for all. Whatever it took, he had to win.
At last, their final dishes were ready.
The two dishes were brought before the judges.
Their aromas mingled, with neither clearly outshining the other.
On one side was the dish Sanji had prepared with all his skill. On the other was